Curriculum of Classes

Suggested AGES are a guideline only.  Final placement is solely decided by the Director.

In all of our Divisions and Classes, CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE is taught from the start.  This is an all-important part of dance education.  Every faculty member bases their classroom organization around the concept that students learn the most from a well-organized, respectful atmosphere.  Comradery, as well as respect for the policies of the studio, the teachers, and their classmates is of the utmost importance to achieving artistic excellence and having a positive experience at The Dance Center.  

CHILDREN'S DIVISION:  MOMMY & ME  -  Ages 2 and early 3

Mommy & Me is a developmental dance class focusing on Parent/Guardian and Child participation together.  It is a wonderful way to introduce your child to The Dance Center with the comfort of their Parent/Guardian with them.  Along with the teacher, the adult and child will follow the instruction of the class which will introduce basic ballet movement along with valuable skills such as listening, taking turns, following directions, etc.  The teacher will explore gross motor skills as well as rhythmic activities.  This class is a fun introduction to the world of dance and the discipline that goes along with it!

CHILDREN’S DIVISION:  Pre-School  -  Ages  3  and  4 
45 minute class.  This class gives the student a combination of ballet and modern jazz introduction.  The main emphasis is on ballet as it is 30 to 35 minutes of the class.  The ballet instruction is taught with classical music emphasizing Russian technique concepts taught with age-appropriate lessons. Classroom etiquette is introduced at this level.   This class is a fun introduction to world of classical dance!

CHILDREN’S DIVISION:  Pre-Ballet  -  Ages 5  and  6 
45 minute class.  This class gives the student a combination of ballet and tap.  The main emphasis is on ballet, taught with classical music, introducing Russian technique concepts and building on terminology and proper positions.  The tap portion of the class develops rhythm and counting using different musicality.   This class is a structured, yet fun introduction to the Elementary Division of the school.

CHILDREN’S DIVISION:  Pee-Wee Hip Hop  -  Ages 5 and 6
30 minute class.  This class gives young dancers an introduction to Hip Hop.  Many requests have been made for this class as some young children are not yet interested in learning ballet, but have a great interest in other forms of dance.  This class will give your child a great exercise experience while learning age-appropriate hip hop moves based on jazz technique and creative movement.

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ELEMENTARY DIVISION - AGES 7 to 12: These classes are leveled by age and experience.  The ELEMENTARY DIVISION guides our students toward artistic excellence, challenging them with new choreograpy through proper technique.  Performing Opportunities include our Student Recital in June as well as The Nutcracker with the Brandywine Ballet.  See Curriculum Requirements for complete details.

ELEMENTARY DIVISION:  Level 1 Classical Ballet with Tap   -   Ages  7, 8
The ballet portion of this class is the introduction to the Vaganova Method of Classical Dance (Russian Method)  emphasizing feet and arm positions, correct terminology, stretching, and introduction to proper technique.  As Ballet is the main emphasis,  the portion of the class that is Tap completes the important beginner instruction, especially valuable for rhythm and counting.

ELEMENTARY DIVISION:  Levels  2, 3, 4, 5, 6 -  Classical Ballet   -   Ages   8, 9, 10, 11,
Five levels of training in the Elementary Division are based on age and experience.  All levels follow the Vaganova Method of Classical Ballet (Russian Method) emphasizing feet and arm positions, correct terminology, stretching, and proper technique.   Elementary 4/5/6 has a separate BOYS’ CLASS which is specifically designed for exercises and technique particular to male ballet training.

ELEMENTARY DIVISION:   Jazz  Hip Hop  -  Ages  7, 8 ,9, 10, 11
Five levels of Jazz class based on Hip Hop technique.  Popular music of today is used for instruction emphasizing stretching, coordination exercises and age-appropriate combinations.  Ballet is not required to take this class, but is strongly recommended.

ELEMENTARY DIVISION:   Lyrical and Contemporary Jazz  -  Ages  8, 9, 10, 11
All Elementary Lyrical and Contemporary Jazz classes will be varied in content which will include a combination of Classical, Contemporary, and Modern Dance.   Once the students become comfortable with the basic skills, combinations and routines will be put together incorporating all aspects of the class.  Contemporary Jazz and Lyrical dance gives the student an opportunity to reach beyond his/her technical ballet training into a more abstract, yet structured form of dance.  Ballet is not required to take these classes, but is strongly recommended.  

ELEMENTARY DIVISION:  Stretch and Conditioning
This class is designed to stretch and tone the entire body emphasizing upper and lower abdominals complimenting ballet technique, and cross training with stretch exercises for injury prevention and enhancement in dance class.  This class is specifically designed for dancers.

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PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION - Ages 13 to 18:  Our students have the opportunity to train daily in all genres. Our vigorous program guides them toward a professional level outcome, whether it be dancing at a premium university level, auditioning for a professional company, or just dancing for pure enjoyment but want the best experience.  The goal of the Pre-Professional Division is to provide technically advanced classes as well as innovative, challenging choreography.  Most students are members of the Brandywine Ballet Company and Brandywine Contemporary.  These 2 companies provide our students the performing experience they need to reach their professional goals.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION:  Classical  Ballet including Pointe/Partnering/Variations  -  Ages 12-up
Four levels of ballet are taught based on age and experience.  All levels follow the Vaganova Method of Classical Ballet (Russian Method) emphasizing proper technique and the development of classical artistry.  Three classes per week are required for enrollment in A or B level classes.  Four classes per week are required for enrollment in C and D level classes. 

PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION:   Hip Hop – Ages 12-up
Popular hip hop music is used for instruction emphasizing the foundation of solid jazz technique, basing the combinations on various hip hop moves and choreography.    

PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION:   Lyrical Dance – Ages 12-up
Lyrical Dance, unlike ballet, jazz, and modern, has no set technique but pulls from each of those styles emphasizing the emotion behind a song through a dancer's body.  This class will focus on tapping into character and conveying meaning through every move the dancer makes.  Each combination will focus on a different story and  how the dancer can convey that story through emotion.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION:   Contemporary Jazz  Dance – Ages 12-up
Contemporary Jazz gives the students an opportunity to reach beyond his/her technical ballet training into a more abstract, yet structured form of dance.  Contemporary Jazz will include elements and influences of Lyrical, Modern, and Hip Hop.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION:  Stretch and Conditioning
This class is designed to stretch and tone the entire body emphasizing upper and lower abdominals complimenting ballet technique, and cross training with stretch exercises for injury prevention and enhancement in dance class.  This class is designed for ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern and lyrical dancers.

TEEN/ADULT DIVISION:   Luxe Stretch & Conditioning.   Our Ballet Mistress, Nancy Page, has designed this unique exercise class.  Move through a timed circuit of bosu balls, exercise balls, resistance bands, and free weights targeting individual muscle groups to build strength, improve balance and coordination, culminating with a thorough stretching routine.